Catnip Tea has soothing effect, relieves anxiety.
Used for reducing chickenpox and measle eruptions. Lowers fever. Useful herb for insomnia - even in children. Helps relieve digestive disturbances and stomach flu. This herb has a gentle carminitive action. An infusion is given to children and nursing mothers to help expel trapped gas. It also safely induces sleep without any grogginess the next morning.
Tops of the catnip plant are harvested and used as a tea or infusion. Sometimes used in combination with other herbs in tincture form.
Fennel Tea relieves gastrointestinal upset.
This herb has antispasmodic, analgesic, properties. It is used to , stimulate the appetite, ease indigestion, soothe coughing and reduce intestinal spasms. This a useful herb for to promoting secretion of breast milk in nursing mothers, and when taken by the mother the volatile oils will pass to the baby to soothe digestive troubles.
The fennel seeds have also been used to regulate the menstrual cycle and relieve PMS.
The fennel seeds are used as essential oil or in teas and infusions.
Fennel is also a popular culinary herb. The fennel seeds are used in breads and sauces and the bulb and leaves are used in soups and savory dishes, especially fish dishes.
CAUTION: Large quantities of fennel are not reccomended during pregnancy.
Kava Tincture or capsules help minimize anxiousness.
This South Pacific herb is an analgesic, sedative, and mild euphoriant. It also has antiseptic properties that may be useful in treating urinary tract infection and cystitis.
Kava lactones have a depressant effect on the central nervous system and are antispasmodic. In addition, they have an anesthetic effect on the lining of the urinary tubules and the bladder.
Kava is also useful in treating headaches, anxiety, depression, insomnia and low sex drive.
Kava may be taken long term to help relieve chronic stress, and its combination of anxiety- relieving and muscle-relaxant properties makes it valuable for treating muscle tension as well as emotional stress.
CAUTIONS: Kava Should not be combined with alcohol or pharmaceutical tranquilizers or antidepressants. Long term usage has been associated with liver and skin damage.
HOPS Relaxing effect on nervous system. A well-known sleep inducing herb, hops is also used to treat anxiety and indigestion.
For insomnia, add 2 tsp fresh hops to a cup of boiling water, and infuse for five minutes. Freshly dried or freeze-dried hops can also be used.
30 drops of tincture may be taken three times a day, as a sedative for nervous tension and anxiety.
Combine with other digestive herbs, such as MARSHMALLOW ROOT, PLANTAIN , CHAMOMMILE, and PEPPERMINT for irritable bowel syndrome.
Hops is available in powders, capsules and tinctures and used as a tea.
CAUTIONS: Hops contains potent plant estrogens and should not be given to prepubescent children.
Motherwort Tincture helps stabilize emotions, has calming effect.This herb is beneficial in balancing hormones and women's menstrual cycles. It has a reputation for soothing stress and tension during pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood.
Motherwort is a first-class relaxing nerve tonic with valued for its ability to bring cal without drowsiness. Taken throughout the day and before bed, it helps insure restful sleep. This herb is also an antidepressant and very slightly euphoric for some people.
The aerial parts are used medicinally in teas and tinctures.
CAUTIONS: Motherwort should not be taken during the first two trimesters of pregnancy. Should be used cautiously by pregnant women as it is a uterine stimulant. Should not be used if menstrual bleeding is heavy.
PASSIONFLOWER Used in tea or as tincture to promote relaxation and calm.
Passion flower relieves muscle tension and calms anxiety. Lowers blood pressure and helps with withdrawal symptoms for those withdrawing from cocaine, heroine or opiates. Also useful in treating insomnia and low sex drive.
Passion flower is a wonderfully relaxing herb useful for treating chronic insomnia, having no addictive effects or morning grogginess.
Passion flower has a sedative and antispasmodic action, relaxing spasm and tension in the muscles, calming the nerves and reducing pain.
Passion flower can be used for neuralgia, shingles, sciatica, Parkinson's disease, muscle pain, twitching and spasm, anxiety, agitation, stress and stress-related ailments such as colic and asthma.
It is also a useful herb for menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, headaches, and mood swings.
CAUTIONS: Passion flower Should not be used by those taking a MAO inhibitor.
Skullcap is rich in minerals needed to support a healthy nervous system, and is a good ally during stressful times.
It is a wonderful remedy for nervous tension, headaches, agitation, anxiety, insomnia, hysteria, neurasthenia, exhaustion and depression.
Skullcap is often used to aid withdrawal from prescription tranquilizers and antidepressants.
Skullcap's antispasmodic action is useful for twitching or ' jerking muscles, trembling, epilepsy - both petit and grand mal - as well as heart palpitations.
Combined with hormone balancing herbs such as chaste tree or false unicorn root, it is useful for symptoms of PMS.
St. John's wort, tincture helps restore emotional stability and ease depression.
VALERIAN Tincture or capsules aid sleep.
The root of this herb is used primarily as a mild sedative to calm restlessness and anxiety and overcome mild insomnia.
Studies have shown that an extract of valerian can significantly reduce the amount of time it takes to fall asleep without changing the normal stages of sleep.
CAUTIONS: Not for use by children under twelve, pregnant women or nursing mothers. Do not mix with alcohol or prescription tranquilizers, or antidepressants.
If you have suggestions or know of a proven herbal remedy add it here in the comment area.
|
